June 28, 2012 - Acts 25:18-19

            “’When the accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.  Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.’”  Acts 25:18-19.

Paul was transferred to Caesarea to be brought before King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice.  Festus, the governor of the region, explained to the king the events surrounding Paul’s arrest.  Festus’ viewpoint gives us some insight into how the “outside world” views followers of Jesus.  He also gives us some insight on how we respond to news concerning Jesus. 

It seems to me that our viewpoint of Jesus is not much different than Festus.  He never actually saw Jesus and only relied on that which was told to him.  This is true for us, as well.  We have never actually seen Jesus and we are reliant on others who told us the stories about Jesus.  The people around me in my world act as though Jesus were dead, or at least irrelevant, to them.  It is easy to understand why these people would feel this way.  After all, they’ve never actually met Jesus in the flesh.  Paul staked his life on following Jesus and spreading the word concerning Him.  Where do you stand?

Questions to consider: What is their viewpoint?  What makes Jesus real to you?  Do you know Jesus in a similar way as Festus or as Paul?  Who is Jesus to you?

            Prayer: Father, I am grateful for Your still, peaceful voice that speaks to me within my soul.  I know that Jesus is Your Son because of the Holy Spirit’s presence within me.  He confirms Your reality over and over again!  Thank You!  Amen.

June 21, 2012 - 2 Peter 3:18

            “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18.

            As I was on one of my exercise walks, I asked God to shine His light on one of the verses that I memorized during one of our Discipleship groups.  He seemed to light up the concluding verse of Peter’s Second Letter.  I was particularly impacted by the first part of the verse, “growing in the grace and knowledge” of the Lord.  Growing implies movement; advancement; an on-going process; the continuation of a journey.  One who continues to grow is one who is moving forward and is not standing still.  Growth is what happens in life when a person is learning and knows that he or she has not arrived.  Growing is having the humility to say, “I don’t know”.

            I also thought of the importance of growing in both, grace and knowledge.  Growing in grace without knowledge can lead to straying from the truth of the Word, or it can lead, as a famous Bible teacher stated, to “sloppy agapay.”  Growing in knowledge without grace can lead to harshness or even cruelty.  Grace and knowledge need to be in concert with each other.  We, in humility, need to be continuing to always be growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus and in the knowledge of Him.

            Questions to consider: To you, what does it mean to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?  How have you been growing in His grace and knowledge? What is the fruit of your growing?

            Prayer: Father, it is my desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Your Son, Jesus. Forgive me for the many times when I think I can do this on my own.  Amen.

June 14, 2012 - Acts 25:8

             “Then Paul made his defense: ‘I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.’”  Acts 25:8.

            The Jewish leadership appeared before Festus, the governor of the region, to accuse Paul of causing disturbances and riots within their worshiping community.  Wherever they appeared, the Jewish leaders always expressed themselves with passionate, emotional arguments.  Paul, given the opportunity to stand in his own defense, spoke clearly and decisively.  He was not just going to take it in silence.  He was clearly not a doormat, no matter what the odds were against him.  He stood before his adversaries and rulers and defended his actions with conviction.  Even though he was alone in his defense, he never knew loneliness, for his friends, the community of followers of Jesus, were always supporting him through prayer.  Paul always knew the Holy Spirit’s presence within, and this gave him courage and conviction.

            As I reflect on Paul’s passion, conviction, and courage in standing up in his own defense, I am convicted of my own lack in those areas.  If I was in a similar situation, I am not convinced that I would respond as Paul did.  There have been times when I have felt as if I were a doormat, allowing others to walk all over me and to project their beliefs onto me.  I didn’t stand up firmly for what I believed.  Perhaps I didn’t have a deep enough conviction in my beliefs, or perhaps I was afraid of being rejected.  It is my desire to have the internal convictions and passion to stand firm and not be tossed about like a rudderless ship.

            Questions to consider: Have you ever stood up for your faith in Jesus when the odds seemed stacked against you?  Other than in a church setting, when have you expressed your belief in Jesus?  Were you nervous?  Bold?  Fearful?  Do you know how to proclaim your belief in Jesus to people who may not know him?

Prayer: Father, I desire to be ready to talk about You in whatever situation I encounter.  Help me to always listen for help from Your Spirit in what I say and how I act.  Amen.

June 7, 2012 - Acts 24:34-35

            “Several days later Felix came with his wife Drisilla, who was a Jewess.  He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.  As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now!  You may leave.  When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’”  Acts 24:34-35.

            While Paul was imprisoned, Felix, the governor, had Paul brought before he and his wife, Drisilla.  They wanted to hear more about Paul and his message concerning Jesus.  Paul’s message on the righteous judgment of God was very interesting to Felix and Drisilla, but in time, as Paul continued to speak, they became convicted by the Holy Spirit and became very nervous and unsettled.  Felix demanded that Paul be taken back to the jail, saying that when he found it more convenient, he would call for Paul.  Felix was engaged and interested in what Paul had to say, but once Paul spoke some difficult words concerning God’s judgment to come, Felix did not like it and did not like the feelings of fear and conviction.

            I tend to be a thinker and enjoy thinking and talking about God.  I especially perk up when the subject is on a topic that is near and dear to me; for example, the Church and how she is doing today in Western countries.  You see, I enjoy these things because I can hold the topic away from me and not let it get too close.  When the discussion becomes more of a personal call to action or repentance, I start getting nervous.  I am not comfortable with topics that convict me for a lack of action, and especially conviction that demands repentance regarding issues of the heart.  I find that it is rarely “convenient” to be convicted and to repent.  Yet, God has His own timing and doesn’t wait for a time that is convenient for me.

            Questions to consider: When the message gets too close, how do you react or respond to it?  Have you ever avoided repenting for something because it wasn’t “convenient”?  When was the last time you were convicted by God concerning an issue?  How did you feel, and what was the outcome?

            Prayer: Father, help me to respond to Your timing concerning issues that I need to change, and help me to not use convenience as an excuse to avoid repenting.  Amen.